Customs MMA command generates N38.7bn in 1st half 2023

The Murtala Muhammed Area (MMA) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it generated a total revenue of N38.7 billion in the first half of 2023.

The command’s Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Yusuf, said in a statement in Lagos on Thursday that this represented 79.6 per cent of its annual revenue target.

The statement was signed by Superintendent of Customs, Victor Ogagbor, the command’s Public Relations Officer.

According to Yusuf, this is an 11 per cent increase in total revenue, when compared with the same period in 2022.

“In 2022, a total of N34.9 billion was recorded from January to June.

“When you compare this with the revenue in 2023, this shows a progressive difference of N3.9 billion representing 11 per cent increase,” he said.

The area controller said that the MMA command under his leadership had continued to build on the achievements of the previous year, both in the area of revenue generation and in anti-smuggling activities.

“Following my resumption, I have abided by the standard best practices, consequently aiding trade facilitation and ease of doing business which has significantly increased revenue generation,” he said.

In the area of anti-smuggling, Yusuf said the command made remarkable successes in the first half of 2023.

“The Enforcement Unit of the Command coordinated several anti-smuggling activities in synergy with other critical stakeholders which led to the seizure of 15 consignments of tramadol, dried shark fins and live turtle.

“These had a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N27.8 billion,” he said.

The customs boss noted that the shark fin and live turtle are classified under endangered species.

“In the spirit of inter-departmental cooperation, the command has handed over the packages of Tramadol to the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),” he said.

Yusuf called for continuous cooperation of all stakeholders and reiterated the command’s promise to sustain and improve upon revenue generation in the second half of 2023.